Football: City and Chertsey wait on ground appeal

KEVIN RAYNER revelled in the party atmosphere as his Guildford side completed their Combined Counties League title triumph - but runners-up Chertsey Town are waiting in the wings to snatch promotion from them should their ground grading appeal fail.

KEVIN RAYNER revelled in the party atmosphere as his Guildford side completed their Combined Counties League title triumph - but runners-up Chertsey Town are waiting in the wings to snatch promotion from them should their ground grading appeal fail.

All City needed to do to seal the CCL Premier Division crown was avoid losing by 11 goals to bottom club Bookham on Saturday - and, unsurprisingly, they did a bit better than that by winning 2-0 with late goals from Joel Greaves and Ben Rayner.

“It was never in any doubt that we would do it and it was a great day for everyone,” said Rayner, whose side finished three ahead of Chertsey in the final table.

“The players handed the trophy to the fans which was a nice touch. Their support has been fantastic and grown all season.

“Everyone has put in a good shift and to finish it the way we did by coming from behind to beat Ash and then winning at Bookham was really good.”

Rayner also pointed out: “We’re the only side to win their last three games which shows we were pushing right to the end.”

The final whistle on Saturday prompted scenes of celebration as captain Simon Cooper lifted the trophy through a shower of champagne.

But all Rayner wants now is the thumbs-up from the FA in the club’s appeal against last month’s ruling to turn down an application for a Grade E certificate at their Spectrum ground, needed to secure promotion.

The outcome is expected on Friday (May 6), Rayner saying: “We’ve had legal people looking at it who are convinced we’ve complied with the criteria.

"We’ve done everything we’ve been asked to do and spent a lot of money. Let’s hope they [the FA] do the right thing.”

Chertsey though are hoping for a different outcome and that they can go up instead.